Shef To Return Friday, Wants To Play Center

August 29, 1995|By DAVID O'BRIEN Staff Writer

Gary Sheffield will probably be activated Friday, and the Marlins' right fielder believes he has a viable solution to the problem of getting him back in the lineup without cutting into the playing time of Andre Dawson.

"The only thing I came up with is, one of us has to play center field," Sheffield said, smiling before adding, "I don't think Hawk wants to do it."

Does that mean Sheffield, out since tearing a ligament in his left thumb June 10, would like to play center field the last month of the season? This despite never playing the position during his major-league career?

"I feel like I can play it," he said. "I feel like center field is easier than right field. ... I think it would only help me as an all-around ballplayer. And it would be a potent lineup with all of us out there."

Before you spend much time thinking about a possible outfield of Jeff Conine, Sheffield and Dawson, forget about it.

"No, I'm not looking for him to play center field," said manager Rene Lachemann, who seemed surprised when informed of Sheffield's idea. "He's not going to go to center field, not this year. But if he wants to talk about center field in the future, I would listen to what he has to say."

However, it's not likely to be an issue in the future because Dawson, 41, will probably retire after the season. He indicated last week it would take a team with legitimate World Series aspirations to bring him back for another year, and even then it would be a tough decision due to the pain in his legs.

If this is Dawson's final season, Sheffield wants to make sure he doesn't do anything to put a damper on it. He saw how Dawson struggled with a part-time role early this year and doesn't want to see that happen again.

"I respect him as an individual and a ballplayer," Sheffield said. "Compared to what he's achieved, what I've done is nothing. ... He deserves a good farewell, if this is going to be it."

Lachemann doesn't believe Sheffield's return will disrupt any on-field chemistry. Instead, he said it would allow him to rest Dawson, Conine and first baseman Greg Colbrunn down the stretch. Conine can move to first base and Dawson and Tommy Gregg can each play left field as well as right.

Sheffield has been fitted with a pair of support braces, one that goes in his fielder's glove and one he wears under his batting glove.

Carter to retain job

Though it hasn't been officially announced, the Marlins have decided to renew the contract of TV analyst Gary Carter for next year. Carter, an 11-time All-Star catcher, has teamed with play-by-plan man Jay Randolph since the Marlins' inaugural season in 1993. There is another year left on Randolph's contract, as well as the contracts of radio broadcasters Joe Angel and Dave O'Brien. ... To make room for pitcher Marc Valdes, who was called up from Charlotte and started Monday night's game, the Marlins placed Randy Veres on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right hand, retroactice to Aug. 20. They also had to make room on the 40-man roster, which they did by designating pitcher Rich Scheid for assignment. Scheid was 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA at Charlotte. ... The Marlins believe they have the inside track on pitcher Osvaldo Fernandez, who defected from Cuba last month and is seeking residency in the Dominican Republic. If he gets it, Fernandez would be able to bypass the free-agent draft. He's made it known he would like to play for the Marlins.

Abbott ailing

Shortstop Kurt Abbott has been bothered by a sore throwing arm and was replaced Monday by Alex Arias. Abbott also has had some dizziness, which the Marlins believe may be related to allergies. Lachemann said he may rest Abbott again today. "He's made quite a few errors recently, and they've all been throwing errors," Lachemann said. "I don't look at [the arm soreness) as being serious, but I don't want to put him out there and make it serious.''... Catcher Charles Johnson (hairline fracture, right hand), could rejoin the Marlins as soon as Friday. First, he's expected to play a couple of games for Double-A Portland. ... Reliever Terry Mathews (hamstring) begins his rehab assignment at Charlotte today. He's eligible to come off the DL on Sunday. ... Pitcher Ryan Bowen, after making three starts for Class-A Brevard County, will continue his rehab assignment with Charlotte tonight when he starts against Rochester. Bowen has been on the DL all season after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee and undergoing surgery in December. ... The start of Monday's game was delayed 26 minutes by rain. There was another delay of 11 minutes in the third inning after home plate umpire Harry Wendelstedt was struck in the left forearm by a pitch from Houston's Doug Brocail. Wendelstedt was replaced by third-base umpire Charles Reliford and the four-man crew was reduced to three for the remainder of the game.